From the March 17th “Friday Staff Reports to City Council

The Friday Staff Report to City Council is a weekly communication between staff and Council. Denton County Elections Office has finalized polling locations, while the city is conducting a utilities and customer service benchmark survey. Council meeting-related documents will now be publicly accessible. Denton Animal Services received a donated shed from DASF for pet food distribution. Upcoming events include the Macrame Workshop, Public Meeting for Cooper Crossing Neighborhood IA, Through the Lens, Adaptive Rec Bowling, and the Great American Cleanup. The Northeast Denton Area Plan has scheduled public engagement events, and don’t miss the Easter Eggstravaganza! Lastly, be aware of upcoming road closures in the area.

General Information

The Denton County Elections Office has finalized early voting and election day polling locations, which are available on the City’s Vote webpage with linked addresses. Staff is identifying potential roadway construction, coordinating detour routes, and placing directional signs to ensure voter accessibility.

The City of Denton is conducting a two-phase utilities and customer service benchmark survey for select utility customers, gathering baseline data on utilities and billing. Results will be shared with the Council in an upcoming Friday Report.

Denton Animal Services (DAS) received a donated shed from Denton Animal Support Foundation (DASF) to store and distribute pet food for those in need. The Pet Food Pantry program, in partnership with DASF, served 2,841 customers last year.

Council Member Requests

Starting March 21, Council meeting-related documents, including clarifying responses to agenda items, will be publicly available and linked to the agenda. Handouts provided during meetings will also be uploaded and accessible after the meetings conclude.

Staff from multiple departments reviewed the ReHydrant project concept and provided feedback, noting potential regulatory and maintenance considerations. A two-minute pitch is requested if additional information or a more in-depth assessment is needed.

Staff investigated a resident’s concern about a possible senior living group home on Churchill, but found no activity exceeding city standards for single-family dwellings during their inspection and conversation with the owner.

After receiving concerns about a potential roof leak on Locust St, staff visited the site with relevant parties to review repairs and remediation plans. They will follow up with the business owner after the next rain to ensure the issue is resolved.

A flyer incorrectly informed residents of a $50 “solar tax” on rooftop solar systems, prompting increased communication. Changes to fees for rooftop solar customers are intended to recover fixed costs not currently paid by them. A City Council work session on May 16 will discuss the rooftop solar market and recommended updates to the GreenSense Program.

Upcoming Community Events and Meetings

Macrame Workshop – (ages 18+) on Tuesday, March 21 at 2:00 p.m. at the South Branch Library. Join local artisan Mary Cresson and learn two basic knots used in macrame work. You will leave with a new skill and two keychains.

Public Meeting for Cooper Crossing Neighborhood IA – Capital Projects is hosting a Virtual Community Meeting for the 2019 Street Bond Neighborhood IA (Cooper Crossing) Construction Kickoff on Thursday, March 23 at 6 p.m. This project consists of full-depth reconstruction of 21 street segments within the Neighborhood IA project area, including Meadow Lane, Plum Hollow Street, Tanglewood Street, Pheasant Hollow Street, Willow Stone Street, Pear Tree Place, Windbrook Street, and Windbrook Court. More information about the project including the project area and meeting registration is available online.

Through the Lens – (ages 5-11) on Thursday, March 23 at 4:00 p.m. at the South Branch Library. Learn about photographer Dorothea Lange, who captured images of the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression and make Depression-era toys. More information and registration.

Adaptive Rec Bowling – (ages 14+) are invited to join Adaptive Recreation staff at the University Lanes Bowling Alley (1212 E. University Drive) on March 24. This social connection event begins at 11:00 a.m. and continues until 1:00 p.m. The cost is $10 per person. Registration is required and available online.

Great American Cleanup – The 35th Annual Great American Cleanup (GAC) is a citywide litter cleanup in Denton on Saturday, Mar. 25 starting at 9 am. After the cleanups, there will be a Volunteer Appreciation Party from 11 am-1 pm with free lunch from In-N-Out Burger and other treats, educational activity booths, bounce houses & more. Prizes will be awarded to the largest group of volunteers that collect the most bags and find the oddest item during their cleanup efforts. The goal is to engage 1,500 participants; currently, 121 volunteers are registered but more are needed by Mar 15 at 5 pm via the registration page open to individuals or groups of all ages & experience levels who receive free supplies & t-shirts (while supplies last).

Northeast Denton Area Plan Public Engagement Events – Two public engagement events have been scheduled for the Northeast Denton Area Plan. The first event is a Community Visioning Open House to obtain input and feedback from the community.

• Thursday, March 23 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Saturday, March 25 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Hodge Elementary School Cafeteria- 3900 Grant Parkway

The second event is an invitation-only Strategic Foresight Workshop. Participants will review trends impacting the area, develop future scenarios, and identify a list of common themes.

• Saturday, April 15 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Development Service Center – 401 N. Elm Street

For more information about the Northeast Denton Area Plan, visit www.discussdenton.com/areaplans.

Felted Soap Workshop – (ages 18+) on Wednesday, March 29 at 6:30 p.m. at the South Branch Library. Have “good clean fun” by creating felted soap! We will cover a bar of soap with colorful wool which gently exfoliates, eliminates the need for a loofah or washcloth, and makes soap easier to hang on to.

Teen Art Night – (ages 12-17) The Teen Council is hosting an Art Night on March 31 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Denia Recreation Center (1001 Parvin St). Step-by-step instructions will be provided to create your own masterpieces. No creative or artistic skills are needed. Additionally, the Teen Council will provide all necessary supplies and snacks for all attendees. The cost is $10 per teen, and registration is available online.

Active Adult Health Fair – (active adults ages 50+) The Denton Senior Center (509 N. Bell A venue) is hosting a health and resource fair on April 1 from 9 a.m. to noon. This fair provides community members connections to services and resources they may need now or in the future. Vendors with tables include Medicare, doctor offices, legal services, and so much more! The fair is free to attend and open to the public.

Emily Frenkel Quilt Talk – Local quilter, Emily Frenkel, will present her historical masterpiece “The 1922 Displacement of the Town of Quaker, in Denton, TX” to the Visual Arts Society of Texas at their April 5 meeting at 6:45 p.m. at the Patterson-Appleton Arts Center (400 E. Hickory). The event is $5.00 per person and is included on the City of Denton’s Quakertown Centennial Memorial Calendar. This calendar of events runs through the end of 2023 and brings together events hosted by the City and community partners that honor the Quakertown community and recognize the centennial of its removal.

Easter Eggstravaganza – Denton Parks and Recreation will host its annual Easter Eggstravaganza and Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 8 from 9 a.m. – noon. The family-friendly event will feature bounce houses, food trucks, arts and crafts, face painting, balloon twisting, a petting zoo, free photos with the Easter Bunny, and over 40,000 eggs! his free event is hosted at the Denton Civic Center and Quakertown Park, 321 E. McKinney St. For more info visit www.cityofdenton.com/easter.

Kids Rock: The Return – Kids Rock has returned, and young Denton residents are having a blast! Each month, kids enjoy a night out while parents enjoy the night off. The program runs from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Experienced staff plan each month around a unique theme, then create play stations that include games and activities, mini-sports tournaments, unique inflatable fun, ping-pong, video games on a large screen, and a DJ with dance contests! Two slices of pizza and a drink are included for attendees. Staff also sell additional concessions and glow products. Preregistration is required and can be completed online. The cost is $25 per child, with a $5 late fee if registering the day of, after 5 p.m., with an upcoming program on April 21.

Garden Workdays at Denia Wildflower Garden – Join Keep Denton Beautiful for monthly garden workdays at the Denia Wildflower Garden, located in front of Denia Recreation Center (1001 Parvin St.). Get ready to dig in the dirt and learn proper garden maintenance techniques with our garden experts. Tasks vary but frequently involve weeding, cutting back plants, and picking up plant debris and litter. The volunteer opportunity is free to attend but does require registration through the park’s event calendar page. Upcoming workdays are scheduled for April 15, and May 6.

Upcoming Street Closures